Abstract: A nucleic acid amplification method includes ligating a double-stranded adapter (20) containing adapter DNA strands capable of forming a folded structure to a double-stranded DNA (1, 2) containing a target DNA sequence (1) to prepare a cyclic DNA template composed of double-stranded DNA containing a nick (5). A 3?-end elongation reaction is performed using a strand-displacement DNA polymerase from the nick (5) as an origin, thereby producing a concatemer (29) in which a plurality of the target DNA sequences (1) and the adapter DNA strands capable of forming the folded structure are linked in series as a single-stranded DNA. The concatemer (29) contains a plurality of the target DNA sequences (1) suitable for nucleotide sequence analysis and has a folded shape such that it takes the form of a ball due to its folded structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for monitoring airborne microorganisms composed of: a chassis, which has a fan for flowing the air therein from the outside at a portion thereof and of which inside is spatially segmented by partition plates for performing a plurality of steps; a perforated plate, which is disposed at a portion of the chassis and has a plurality of nozzles for focusing split air flows passing through a plurality of spaces in a given direction; a capturing plate, which has a plurality of trapping surfaces at the positions opposite to the plurality of nozzles of the perforated plate; a capturing plate control part, which moves the capturing plate relative to the perforated plate; and an optical detection part for fluorescence generated from the microorganisms on the trapping surface of the capturing plate.

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplification method includes ligating a double-stranded adapter (20) containing adapter DNA strands capable of forming a folded structure to a double-stranded DNA (1, 2) containing a target DNA sequence (1) to prepare a cyclic DNA template composed of double-stranded DNA containing a nick (5). A 3?-end elongation reaction is performed using a strand-displacement DNA polymerase from the nick (5) as an origin, thereby producing a concatemer (29) in which a plurality of the target DNA sequences (1) and the adapter DNA strands capable of forming the folded structure are linked in series as a single-stranded DNA. The concatemer (29) contains a plurality of the target DNA sequences (1) suitable for nucleotide sequence analysis and has a folded shape such that it takes the form of a ball due to its folded structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biomolecular detection device that can be used easily, at a low operating cost, and with a detection probe that can be immobilized easily. Using an insulated gate field effect transistor having a conductive electrode on the gate insulator between a source and a drain, a probe for detecting biomolecules is immobilized on the surface of the conductive electrode. For analysis, a conductive electrode on which a probe for detecting biomolecules is immobilized on the surface, and a reference electrode are placed in the sample solution in the analytical cell, an alternating current voltage is applied from a power source to the reference electrode and the electrical characteristics of the insulated gate field effect transistor that changes before and after binding of the measurement target substance such as DNA and proteins included in the sample solution with a probe for detecting biomolecules, namely the changes in the current values running between the source and the drain, are detected.

Abstract: There have been the following problems with sequence analysis using multiple nanopores: trapping a sample in the nanopores is not always 100% efficient and unnecessary time is spent to measure pores in which no sample has been trapped, resulting in low measurement efficiency. To address the problems, a labeling substance is boned to a sample, and the sample to which the labeling substance has been bonded is trapped in the nanopores. An apparatus for observing the labeling substance is used to observe the labeling substance and monitor whether or not the sample has been trapped in the nanopores. Measuring only nanopores in which the sample has been trapped allows the measurement efficiency to be improved.

Abstract: Temperature of a sensor chip itself rises with the supply of power owing to temperature dependence of the sensor chip as its basic characteristics. When a chemiluminescence reagent is added at the point of time at which the temperature rise reaches a steady state and a sensor chip photodiode dark current becomes constant, a drastic shift occurs in the sensor chip temperature. Remarkable dispersion occurs at this time in the sensor chip photodiode dark current Variance (unstability) of the sensor chip photodiode dark current can be decreased by reducing the temperature fluctuation of the sensor chip to minimum by using an exothermal effect of a thermal diffusion medium.

Abstract: There is provided a simple, inexpensive reaction analysis kit and system capable of performing highly sensitive, quantitative measurement. A chemical luminescence reaction is employed and a sensor element is used to detect the reaction in a highly sensitive manner. That is, a reaction detection plate is used to transmit a signal detected in the sensor element via a reader coil and a reader and then analyze the reaction. The reaction detection plate has a) a membrane, b) a first antibody impregnated section that is disposed such that it faces the membrane and holds a first labeled antibody that specifically binds to a substance to be analyzed, c) a second antibody immobilized section that is provided in part of the membrane and has an immobilized second antibody, the second antibody specifically binding to the substance to be analyzed, and d) a sensor element that is disposed such that it faces the second antibody immobilized section and includes a light detector and a signal transceiver.

Abstract: In an RFID system including RFID tags each incorporating a sensor, accuracy of measurement by the sensor can be improved. For example, when measurements are performed several times by using RFID tags each incorporating a sensor unit, generation of a carrier directed from an RFID reader/writer to the RFID tags is stopped for a predetermined period every time when a measurement ends. By this means, the chip temperature of the RFID tag increased due to power consumption in each measurement can be reduced to, for example, ambient temperature every time when a measurement ends. Therefore, an error in measurement by the sensor unit can be reduced, thereby achieving accurate measurement.

Abstract: A wireless sensor chip suitable for the compact, high-sensitive, and low-cost examination apparatus for easily examining a biological material such as gene at low cost is provided. A sensor chip is formed on an SOI substrate, and an n type semiconductor layer on which a pMOS transistor is formed and a p type semiconductor layer on which an nMOS transistor is formed are isolated by a pn junction. Therefore, the p type semiconductor layer at the outermost portion (chip edge portion to be in contact with solution) is set to floating, and the maximum potential and the minimum potential of the chip are supplied to an n type semiconductor layer and a p type semiconductor layer inside the outermost portion, respectively. Also, the chip is covered with an ion impermeable insulating film for reducing the penetration of positive ions through the oxide layer.

Abstract: The present invention intends to prevent the communication distance from becoming shorter with a reduction in size of a coil antenna to the chip size and with a consequent decrease of an induced voltage. According to the present invention there is provided a semiconductor chip having a coil antenna and a circuit surface and adapted to transmit and receive signals by radio to and from an external device. The semiconductor chip has a configuration for increasing an electromagnetic coupling coefficient between the coil antenna and the external device. According to a concrete example thereof, a magnetic material is disposed, the coil antenna is formed by a stacked structure comprising plural conductor layers and insulating layers superimposed one on another, or the coil antenna is disposed outside an external form of a circuit of the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A wireless sensor chip suitable for the compact, high-sensitive, and low-cost examination apparatus for easily examining a biological material such as gene at low cost is provided. A sensor chip is formed on an SOI substrate, and an n type semiconductor layer on which a PMOS transistor is formed and a p type semiconductor layer on which an nMOS transistor is formed are isolated by a pn junction. Therefore, the p type semiconductor layer at the outermost portion (chip edge portion to be in contact with solution) is set to floating, and the maximum potential and the minimum potential of the chip are supplied to an n type semiconductor layer and a p type semiconductor layer inside the outermost portion, respectively. Also, the chip is covered with an ion impermeable insulating film for reducing the penetration of positive ions through the oxide layer.

Abstract: There is provided a simple, inexpensive reaction analysis kit and system capable of performing highly sensitive, quantitative measurement. A chemical luminescence reaction is employed and a sensor element is used to detect the reaction in a highly sensitive manner. That is, a reaction detection plate is used to transmit a signal detected in the sensor element via a reader coil and a reader and then analyze the reaction. The reaction detection plate has a) a membrane, b) a first antibody impregnated section that is disposed such that it faces the membrane and holds a first labeled antibody that specifically binds to a substance to be analyzed, c) a second antibody immobilized section that is provided in part of the membrane and has an immobilized second antibody, the second antibody specifically binding to the substance to be analyzed, and d) a sensor element that is disposed such that it faces the second antibody immobilized section and includes a light detector and a signal transceiver.

Abstract: To augment the temperature dependence of the voltage used to detect temperature in a semiconductor integrated circuit device having a temperature detection function, the operating power supply voltage of the semiconductor integrated circuit device needed to be enhanced. It becomes possible for such a semiconductor integrated circuit device to generate a voltage of great temperature dependence, even under a low operating power supply voltage, by including: a temperature-to-current converter which outputs a first electric current proportional to temperature; a current generator which outputs a second electric current having extremely small temperature dependence; a current subtracter which outputs a third electric current proportional to a differential current obtained by subtracting the second electric current from the first electric current; and a current-to-voltage converter which converts the third electric current into a voltage.

Abstract: In an RFID system including RFID tags each incorporating a sensor, accuracy of measurement by the sensor can be improved. For example, when measurements are performed several times by using RFID tags each incorporating a sensor unit, generation of a carrier directed from an RFID reader/writer to the RFID tags is stopped for a predetermined period every time when a measurement ends. By this means, the chip temperature of the RFID tag increased due to power consumption in each measurement can be reduced to, for example, ambient temperature every time when a measurement ends. Therefore, an error in measurement by the sensor unit can be reduced, thereby achieving accurate measurement.

Abstract: A measuring system enabled to simultaneously start measurement by a plurality of transponders by communication between a reader/writer and a plurality of transponders each with a built-in sensor is to be provided. In addition to an identifier SID intrinsic to a sensor and a chip identifier TID intrinsic to a transponder chip, a unique identifier UID combining the sensor SID and the chip TID is provided in each transponder. A reader/writer, in designating a transponder and transmitting a measurement command to it, invalidates the chip TID out of the UID of each transponder, validates only information regarding a sensor function, and transmits measurement commands including action commands unique to each type of sensor.

Abstract: A small sized, cost-effective genetic testing apparatus that provides high sensitivity testing, for performing genetic testing simply and at low cost. An optical sensor array for the apparatus and method for luminometric assay comprises a means that simultaneously selects 2 pixels and detects minute amounts of chemiluminescence by obtaining the differential output of the respective signals.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting biological and chemical material. To measure biological materials such as genes easily at low costs, the device for implementing a small-sized, high sensitive, economical measurement apparatus is provided. Probes appropriate for target biological materials are fixed on a chip, on which a sensor, identification number, and radio communication function are implemented, the captured targets are detected by the sensors, and the result of sensing are transferred to an external control unit by the radio communication function. The small-sized, high sensitivity measurement apparatus for detecting biological and chemical materials such as genes and measuring physical and chemical amounts such as temperature, pressure, pH, and the like can be implemented.

Abstract: An inexpensive DNA chip/DNA microarray system capable of highly accurate measurement with low running cost. A DNA probe 8 is immobilized on a floating electrode 7 connected to a gate electrode 5 of a field effect transistor. Hybridization with a target gene is carried out on the surface of the floating electrode, when a change in surface charge density is detected using a field effect.

Abstract: A measuring system enabled to simultaneously start measurement by a plurality of transponders by communication between a reader/writer and a plurality of transponders each with a built-in sensor is to be provided. In addition to an identifier SID intrinsic to a sensor and a chip identifier TID intrinsic to a transponder chip, a unique identifier UID combining the sensor SID and the chip TID is provided in each transponder. A reader/writer, in designating a transponder and transmitting a measurement command to it, invalidates the chip TID out of the UID of each transponder, validates only information regarding a sensor function, and transmits measurement commands including action commands unique to each type of sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biomolecular detection device that can be used easily, at a low operating cost, and with a detection probe that can be immobilized easily. Using an insulated gate field effect transistor having a conductive electrode on the gate insulator between a source and a drain, a probe for detecting biomolecules is immobilized on the surface of the conductive electrode. For analysis, a conductive electrode on which a probe for detecting biomolecules is immobilized on the surface, and a reference electrode are placed in the sample solution in the analytical cell, an alternating current voltage is applied from a power source to the reference electrode and the electrical characteristics of the insulated gate field effect transistor that changes before and after binding of the measurement target substance such as DNA and proteins included in the sample solution with a probe for detecting biomolecules, namely the changes in the current values running between the source and the drain, are detected.